Loose-Leaf Binder Metal Fitting Market

The article provides insights into the global loose-leaf binder metal fitting market, forecasting an increase in consumption and production over the period from 2022 to 2030. China is the largest consumer and producer of these fittings, with significant growth rates in volume and value. Imports and exports are also examined, with countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and the United States playing key roles in trade. The average import and export prices are analyzed, showing varying trends among major exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for loose-leaf binder metal fitting worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 168K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $768M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Base Metal Fittings For Loose-Leaf Binders Or Files

In 2022, consumption of base metal fittings for loose-leaf binders or files increased by 5.8% to 132K tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 144K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global loose-leaf binder metal fitting market revenue rose notably to $512M in 2022, growing by 9.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $516M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (56K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of loose-leaf binder metal fitting consumption, comprising approx. 43% of total volume. Moreover, loose-leaf binder metal fitting consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the Netherlands (11K tons), fivefold. Mexico (7.8K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +5.5%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the Netherlands (+7.2% per year) and Mexico (-0.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($238M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($55M). It was followed by Mexico.

In China, the loose-leaf binder metal fitting market increased at an average annual rate of +9.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+10.4% per year) and Mexico (-0.7% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of loose-leaf binder metal fitting per capita consumption was registered in the Netherlands (636 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Hungary (246 kg per 1000 persons), Poland (76 kg per 1000 persons) and Mexico (59 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of loose-leaf binder metal fitting was estimated at 17 kg per 1000 persons.

In the Netherlands, loose-leaf binder metal fitting per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hungary (+2.6% per year) and Poland (-8.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Base Metal Fittings For Loose-Leaf Binders Or Files

In 2022, production of base metal fittings for loose-leaf binders or files decreased by -0.3% to 122K tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after five years of growth. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 3.4%. Global production peaked at 129K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, loose-leaf binder metal fitting production expanded sharply to $494M in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $517M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (74K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of loose-leaf binder metal fitting production, comprising approx. 61% of total volume. Moreover, loose-leaf binder metal fitting production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the Netherlands (11K tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Slovenia (11K tons), with an 8.8% share.

In China, loose-leaf binder metal fitting production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+0.4% per year) and Slovenia (+0.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Base Metal Fittings For Loose-Leaf Binders Or Files

In 2022, overseas purchases of base metal fittings for loose-leaf binders or files increased by 1.6% to 58K tons for the first time since 2012, thus ending a nine-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, saw a deep slump. Global imports peaked at 115K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, loose-leaf binder metal fitting imports expanded notably to $194M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $363M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Mexico (7.8K tons), followed by the United States (5.1K tons), Germany (4.4K tons), Poland (3.3K tons), Vietnam (2.9K tons) and Austria (2.7K tons) represented the key importers of base metal fittings for loose-leaf binders or files, together generating 45% of total imports. Malaysia (2.5K tons), Turkey (2.3K tons), Indonesia (1.6K tons), France (1.6K tons), Thailand (1.5K tons), Russia (1.4K tons) and Italy (1.2K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest loose-leaf binder metal fitting importing markets worldwide were Mexico ($23M), Vietnam ($18M) and the United States ($16M), with a combined 30% share of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +13.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average loose-leaf binder metal fitting import price amounted to $3,362 per ton, surging by 3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 6.3%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($6,315 per ton), while Thailand ($1,501 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+2.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Base Metal Fittings For Loose-Leaf Binders Or Files

In 2022, the amount of base metal fittings for loose-leaf binders or files exported worldwide reduced to 48K tons, shrinking by -12.2% against 2021 figures. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 7.1%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 96K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, loose-leaf binder metal fitting exports reached $201M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 4.5% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $289M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (18K tons) was the main exporter of base metal fittings for loose-leaf binders or files, generating 38% of total exports. Slovenia (8.8K tons) took an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (9.5%), the Czech Republic (7.5%), Austria (5.8%) and Hungary (4.8%). India (2.1K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -7.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Slovenia (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovenia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.0% from 2012-2022. The Czech Republic and Austria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Hungary (-2.6%), India (-5.1%) and Italy (-7.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary increased by +10, +4.1, +2.7 and +1.7 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($93M) remains the largest loose-leaf binder metal fitting supplier worldwide, comprising 46% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Slovenia ($28M), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by Italy, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Slovenia (+1.5% per year) and Italy (-6.9% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average loose-leaf binder metal fitting export price stood at $4,211 per ton in 2022, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($5,057 per ton), while India ($2,639 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform